Science

The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service has a long tradition of scientific excellence and always uses the best-available science to inform its work to conserve fish, wildlife, plants, and their habitat for the benefit of the American public.

Wildlife Refuges

Clean water. Clean air. Unusual and abundant wildlife. World-class recreation. The Refuge System provides and protects it all on 150 million acres of land and water from the Caribbean to the Pacific, Maine to Alaska.

Ecological Services

The Mountain-Prairie Region's Office of Ecological Services (ES) works to restore and protect healthy populations of fish, wildlife, and plants and the environments upon which they depend. Using the best available science, ES personnel work with Federal, State, Tribal, local, and non-profit stakeholders, as well as private land owners, to avoid, minimize, and mitigate threats to our Nation's natural resources.

Migratory Birds

Providing leadership in the conservation of migratory bird habitat through partnerships, grants, and outreach for present and future generations. The Migratory Bird Program is responsible for maintaining healthy migratory bird populations for the benefit of the American people.

Fisheries

The U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service Fisheries Program in the Mountain-Prairie Region helps conserve, protect, and enhance aquatic resources and provides economically valuable recreational fishing to anglers across the country. The program comprises 12 National Fish Hatcheries.

External Affairs

External Affairs staff in the Mountain-Prairie Region of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service provides support to the regional office and field stations to communicate and faciliate information about the Service's programs to the public, media, Congress, Tribes, partners, and other stakeholders in the 8-state region.

News Release

For Immediate Release

March 12, 2014

Public comment period reopened until March 28, 2014

DENVER – The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (Service) announced today the availability of a Draft Economic Analysis and draft Environmental Assessment for the proposed redesignation of critical habitat for the endangered Salt Creek tiger beetle (Cicindela nevadica lincolniana). We previously published a proposed rule in the Federal Register on June 4, 2013, to redesignate critical habitat for the Salt Creek tiger beetle under the Endangered Species Act in accordance with a June 7, 2011, settlement agreement between the Service and the Center for Biological Diversity, Xerces Society, and Center for Native Ecosystems.

The Salt Creek tiger beetle only occurs in stream and saline wetland habitats in eastern Nebraska. Loss of suitable habitat for this insect has occurred due to development in and around the City of Lincoln, construction of infrastructure including roadways, alteration to hydrologic cycles and sediment deposition. Despite these impacts, tremendous efforts including land acquisition, experimental rearing and reintroduction, and population and habitat monitoring have been done to help recover the Salt Creek tiger beetle and restore its habitat.

We have prepared a draft economic analysis to determine the economic impacts, including costs and benefits, of the proposed rule to redesignate critical habitat. The draft economic analysis concluded that critical habitat designation for the beetle is unlikely to generate costs exceeding $100 million per year. This estimate was based on the anticipated costs of consultations under Section 7 of the Endangered Species Act, and other costs. We have also prepared a draft assessment of the environmental effects of the proposed critical habitat for the tiger beetle under the National Environmental Policy Act. The Service is reopening the comment period for the proposal to allow interested parties an opportunity to comment on the two draft documents, as well as the June 4, 2013 proposed rule to revise the critical habitat designation.

Identification of areas containing habitat essential to the Salt Creek tiger beetle, will be based on the best scientific information available. In addition, the Service will utilize the economic analysis to inform and refine its identification of this habitat. Only areas that contain habitat essential to the conservation of the species and where the benefits of this habitat outweigh potential economic impacts will be included in the final designation.

Six populations of Salt Creek tiger beetles were known to exist in the mid to late 1990s along three streams; however, three of these populations have been extirpated since then. Three populations exist currently, all along a single stream––Little Salt Creek. These three populations contain a few hundred adults. There are 35 acres of habitat that are currently occupied by the Salt Creek tiger beetle.

The Service will open a 15-day public comment period until March 28, 2014, to allow the public to review the two draft documents. All relevant information received from the public, government agencies, the scientific community, industry, or any other interested parties will be considered and addressed in the agency’s final identification of habitat essential to the species’ conservation.

Comments and information may be submitted to the Federal Register online through the Federal eRulemaking Portal at http://www.regulations.gov (follow the instructions for submitting comments and use Docket No. FWS–R6-ES-2013-0068) or via U.S. mail or hand delivery to Public Comments Processing, Attn: FWS–R6–ES–2013–0068; Division of Policy and Directives Management; U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service; 4401 N. Fairfax Drive, MS 2042–PDM; Arlington, VA 22203.

The mission of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service is working with others to conserve, protect, and enhance fish, wildlife, plants, and their habitats for the continuing benefit of the American people. We are both a leader and trusted partner in fish and wildlife conservation, known for our scientific excellence, stewardship of lands and natural resources, dedicated professionals, and commitment to public service. For more information on our work and the people who make it happen, visit www.fws.gov/mountain-prairie. Connect with our Facebook page, follow our tweets, watch our YouTube Channel, and download photos from our Flickr page.